The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has expressed concern over the rise in terrorist attacks in some parts of the country.
The NSCIA that it therefore reiterated its call government at all levels to raise intelligence gathering high as a complement to the laudable efforts of the armed forces and security agencies.
The body stated this in a communique at the end of its ninth Expanded General Purpose Committee (EGPC) meeting held in Abuja and signed by Prof Is-haq Oloyede, the Secretary-General of NSCIA and EGPC.
The EGPC said “insecurity is by far the most existential matter of concern to the Nigerian nation as it also poses a great danger to food security in the country. Therefore, the meeting urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, increase the current laudable tempo of curtailing insecurity in the country.
The community also called on governments and political leaders in Nigeria to keep respecting the traditional institution and its holders the due respect that they deserve, especially where such is combined with Islamic leadership.
The call was ion view of the crises in both Kano and Sokoto states over the seat of the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the NSCIA, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, on one hand and the stand-off, conflicting court judgements and disagreement, including among the ulama, in Kano State over the controversy surrounding the deposition of the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and the reinstatement of the deposed 14th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The communique reads in part: “The NSCIA is strongly advising government and political leaders at all levels to continue to accord the traditional institution and its holders the due respect that they deserve, especially where such is combined with Islamic leadership.
“This is in order to ensure the protection of our cultural and religious heritage for sustainable peace and national development. The Muslim ummah in Nigeria, long before independence, unanimously resolved to entrust its leadership to an established Islamic institution that Muslims all over the country believe would always command the desired respect and attract the highest regards of all and sundry.
“It, therefore, behooves the custodians of such institution to also reciprocate by acting in a manner that shows, both in words and deed, respect for Islam, its institution and the feelings of the generality of the ummah. Any iota of disrespect to the institution is a direct affront on the faith and its adherents.”
The EGPC praised the Federal Government for alleviating poverty and food shortage in the country so far, and called on it to crash the increase in food and energy prices.
“Members expressed diverse opinions on the appropriateness or otherwise of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria. A committee of scientists and scholars was set up to consider, among other sources, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC)’s panel submission on GMOs and advise the Council on the appropriateness or otherwise of GMOs.
“The need was reiterated for establishing an efficient channel of communication between the Government and the NSCIA, as the highest representative body of the Muslim Ummah, to facilitate a better understanding of and consequently adequate support for government policies and programmes.
“A case in point was the misconstrued outstanding obligation of the Federal Government towards 2024 Hajj depositors for foreign exchange prior to the increase in the exchange rate to honour the obligation to which the government had been committed before the increase,” the communique further read.
According to the NSCIA, FG’s honouring of such an obligation was appropriate, saying though it was misconstrued in some quarters as unwarranted favour to the pilgrims.
The EGPC also ratified the report of its fatwa committee on controversies in determining the minimum amount payable as dowry (pride price) and reaffirmed that it was quarter Dinar, which today is equivalent to about N118,000 or any amount mutually agreed by the couple or/and their guardians irrespective of whether or not it was lower or higher than the N118,000.
The NSCIA also waded into the imamship/obaship tussle in Ogbomoso land, describing it as just as it set up a committee under the secretary-general to look into it and report back to the council.
